Key Contacts Every Woman Over 50 Should Have On Her iPhone
I remember reading an article many years ago that targeted single 20- and 30-year-old women like me at the time, listing the professional contacts they needed in their Rolodex (see how I’ve dated myself?) to survive. It was pretty straightforward and included the usual suspects: a lawyer, an accountant, a therapist, an investment guru, and the like.
It got me thinking about what contacts I should have at my fingertips on my iPhone. I’m clearly at a different stage in my life, but how much has the list changed? Turns out, a bit.
Identifying Who Makes The List
Years ago, it seemed that professionals with key knowledge (law, accountancy, medicine) took up all the top spots on my list. People from whom you would need advice to get through key milestones in your life (marriage, divorce, child-rearing, health issues, buying or selling a home).
Most of those are still on my list, but I’ve branched out to include others that help feed my soul. I’m at a point in my life where I realize they are just as important as the investment advisor and primary care physician.
Today, my key contacts seem to fall into the following five categories, probably in this order:
Health
Primary Care Doctor—I’ve had her for most of my adult life, and her memory about my health history is better than my own. I’m already keeping my eye open for her replacement since she’s close to my age and her retirement is on the horizon.
Specialists—My dermatologist, cardiologist, and gastroenterologist because of my health history and genetics; I have friends who have the orthopedist on speed dial because they still play as hard as they did in their youth and there’s always a muscle or joint that needs TLC.
Dentist—How often do you hear about friends who suddenly need major dental work done? Don’t you want to already know a dentist before an abscess or broken tooth needs attention? And shouldn’t you be getting regular cleanings anyway?
Online Workout Class Scheduler—OK, so it’s technically an app, not a contact—big whoop. This type of phone app is key for those of us who use workout classes to stay physically active. If you belong to a gym with classes, you know the drill: Set your alarm for class sign-ups. If you’re five minutes late, all spots are filled, and you’re out of luck.
Nail Technician—One of my vices. I’ve listed it here because nails are a body part, and body part maintenance in my book falls under ‘Health’. And yes, it’s a stretch. Big whoop.
Chiropractors or massage therapists fall under this category since joints and muscles are body parts and, in my book, fall under ‘Health’. A few of my friends swear these professionals enable them to beat back pain that would slow them down from living life fully. If that’s the case, they’re worth every penny.
Esthetician/Skin Care Specialist—Now, this is definitely a stretch (like a nail technician), but if scheduling these appointments guilt-free because they are ‘for your health’ works, start thinking that way. Skin care can be an anti-aging elixir that improves your entire well-being.
Happiness
I think of these folks as my “heart and soul” gurus. Life lived without them would be just existence. That’s how much joy I get from each of them—they’re essential to my happiness.
My Husband (Duh)
My Kids (Double Duh)
My Sisters—If you’ve ever sat near our table where we meet for breakfast on a Saturday a few times a year, you’ll hear only ‘wet your pants’ conversations and laughter. No one knows you better than your siblings—the good, the bad, and the ugly.
1:1 Friends—Some of these lifelong friends I met in college; others are parents I met on the athletic fields while watching our kids play team sports; a few are from my ‘hood (neighborhood); and some were co-workers. They’re like siblings without the baggage.
Ladies Night Gang—For several years now, a group of my close female friends meets for dinner once a month. No men/spouses allowed, even though some try to squeeze in occasionally. While working full-time, we celebrated these nights as carved-out time for ourselves. Now, girls’ night has become even more important as we attempt to age gracefully and maintain active lives in retirement. We don’t leave the table at the end of the night without scheduling the following month’s date and location.
Freedom Fighters
One of the best things about retirement is the freedom to do what you want, when you want, with the people you want. Realistically, however, there are still responsibilities that can create limits unless you have some hired help. I think of these folks as my hired ‘freedom fighters’ because they help me maintain, well, my freedom!
Dog Walking Service—We love our dog walkers and have found them particularly important for last-minute day trips or vacations when our family and neighbors are unable to watch our pup while we’re away.
House Cleaner—We’ve had the same house cleaner for 30 years. When I was working full-time and raising a family, I needed the freedom to have weekends available—the only time I would have had to clean—for family obligations and fun. She’s like family and, yes, I do clean up clutter around the house before she cleans. Duh, everyone with a cleaning service does.
Home
I love my home and neighbors. That said, it’s a lot of work to maintain on a weekly basis. Fortunately, and I know this is not the reality for many, we can outsource many of the projects we would have tackled on our own thirty years ago.
Landscaper—We hire a group for weekly mowing plus spring and fall cleanup. We tend the flower beds as that task maps to our interests.
Handyman/Contractor—Luckily, we found an awesome carpenter years ago who is still willing to take on repairs and small projects for us, even though his business has grown exponentially. Sure, my husband can do basic carpentry repairs, but the nagging wife comes out after the project is on the ‘honey do’ list for weeks, months, or, dare I say, years. It’s much better for our mental health if someone other than my husband is the solution.
Appliance Repair Guru—We may live in an age where most folks replace appliances instead of fixing them, but we’ve found having a good old-fashioned appliance repair person has been worth his weight in gold. Simple repairs to our clothes washer, dryer, fridge, and dishwasher have added years to our appliances. And, we’re not contributing to the landfill as often.
Death and Taxes
It’s a fact: life guarantees death and taxes. No one gets a free pass.
Financial Advisor—She’s kept our nest egg safe and growing for many years, and now that we’re retired, helps keep us on track with distributions. It’s nice to have a professional we trust managing this aspect of our lives rather than taking every detail on ourselves. We don’t have the in-depth expertise she has, and we don’t need the work.
Attorney—Everyone needs a Will, Durable Power of Attorney, and other basic legal documents. If you don’t have them, pull your head out of the sand, act like an adult, and get them done. It’s the greatest gift you can give your loved ones. Period.
Accountant—Every tax season there’s an argument between my husband and me about outsourcing this task, particularly as tax laws change. My husband normally wins (since he’s the one who would do the taxes), but if we have complicated years financially, we’ll hire an accountant based on friends’ referrals. When I was self-employed, we used one.
Summary
You may think that some of these professionals on the list are obvious. Yup, they are. But you’d be surprised by the number of people out there who don’t leverage even one of these professionals, even as they age.
I understand that finances determine whether you can use many of them. That said, at least find healthcare professionals (primary care and specialists) you feel comfortable with—particularly if you’re not happy with those you have currently. Also, not having basic legal documents is a serious issue that affects those you love. Bite the bullet and do it. At a minimum, there are probably some online legal resources that will take care of some of what you need.
